Two-axis optical scanner
AssigneeMFE Corporation
InventorEdward F. Burke, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An optical scanner capable of scanning parallel to two intersecting axes. The scanner comprises a single electromechanical transducer and a compliant link interconnecting the transducer with an optical element to which the two-axis movement is to be imparted. The link is selectively compliant to two planes containing the two axes and it is oriented to receive from the transducer force components in both planes. The transducer is driven at the frequencies of the resonances associated with the link compliances and the masses involved therewith. The link thereby imparts amplified motion to the optical element simultaneously in both planes, the resulting path described by the element thus being a Lisssajous pattern.
Claims6
An optical scanner comprising:
- A. a transducer providing a mechanical reciprocating output,
- B. an optical element,
- C. a link having a first end connected to said transducer and a second end connected to said optical element to impart motion to said optical element in response to the output of said transducer,
- i. said link being compliant in a finite number, not less than two, of intersecting planes,
- ii. said link and the masses associated therewith, including the mass of said optical element, having resonances associated with the compliances thereof,
- iii. said link being oriented to receive at said first end vibrating components from said transducer in each of said planes, thereby to provide simultaneous flexure of said link in each of said planes and simultaneous movement of said optical element in said planes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.